Keep Your Employees and Customers Safe During the Holiday Shopping Season

Published: December 05, 2014

Whether you braved the Black Friday crowds or are more of a last-minute shopper, there’s no doubt that holiday shopping season is upon us. As a shop owner trying to pull in customers, there’s a lot to do. You have to decorate, display your holiday inventory, and prepare for all of the foot traffic sure to flood your store by increasing your staffing.

If you make seasonal hires, keep in mind that although the much-needed extra help is necessary, new hires who are not trained well can create hazards in your store. So what should you do? Read on for tips on how to train employees to they can help keep holiday injuries to a minimum in your store.

Make sure your staff members know how to use equipment properly -- especially ladders. You should also train them in proper lifting techniques so they don’t strain themselves.

Teach your staff members not to overfill shelves. It might be tempting for them to save themselves a trip to the store room, but overfilled shelves can tip onto employees and customers.

If you leave your staff in charge of decorating, instruct them to use battery-operated candles and be sure to keep exit signs uncovered and aisles clear in case you need to evacuate the store in an emergency.

Keep in mind that as the store owner, the ultimate responsibility for the safety of your employees and customers is yours. Make it a habit to give your shop a daily -- or even hourly -- scan. Watch for cluttered aisles, tripping hazards, unsecured decor, or other safety hazards. Sometimes when your staff gets busy, it’ll be harder for them to notice these big-picture details.

Have a safe and happy holiday shopping season!

J.K. Olivieri Insurance Agency, Inc. is an independent insurance agency founded in 1979 which represents a number of major insurance companies. Our mission is to protect our clients’ financial future. We feel our role as an insurance agency is to assist our clients in selecting the best possible programs to fill their specific needs. In doing so, we shall research and present our clients with the best possible programs available at the best possible prices.